Utility Assistance is Still Available

Don’t wait until it turns cold to get help with your electric bill or deliverable fuel. If you are still struggling with a past due balance from last winter or are at 25% or below on your propane, there may be help available if you are a Barry County resident. MEAP utility assistance dollars are still available at Barry County United Way. “We were fortunate to have been granted over $158,000 to assist with utility issues from the Michigan Energy Assistance Program”, says Pattrick Jansens, Program Coordinator at Barry County United Way. “To date we have assisted 180 households with $135,636 in energy assistance dollars but, we still have more to expend by the end of September.”

To qualify, you must be at 150% of poverty or below. For a family of four, this generally means under $45,468.75 per year of earned income. As with many state grants, there is paperwork that is required by the state to qualify also. Driver’s license or photo ID for each adult over 18, Social Security Cards for each member of the household, a copy of the rental agreement or mortgage, verification of income and a completed MEAP application must be submitted.

Please call the Barry County United Way 269-945-4010 for further information.